Why In Design column: Not For The Birds? bird-motifs in design staying strong
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Birds, Birds,
Birds...
As the author of a blog named Nest by Tamara it should come as no surprise to learn I love birds. The reference to a bird's nest is the logo and cornerstone of my philosophy here on the blog. A nest suggests a cozy space where one can cuddle up, find respite. My daughter took this photograph of a nest in our travels. The speckled blue eggs crowded together on a straw bed, to me, is symbolic of my childhood spent with my two, sweet brothers. But, what is surprising about this bird story, is that it has taken me five years of writing blog posts, to finally tell my readers how much I appreciate bird motifs in design.
mourning doves (Carolina doves) by John Audubon
While attending a charity auction in NYC over ten years ago, I spotted this over-sized Audubon print from a limited collection, and one of John Audubon's most famous works. I had been enamored with this beautiful piece for years, and loved it's extra large size, the colors, the details and the gorgeous birds. I like how the pair seems happily in love. The work was originally made in the 1800s. Well, two glasses of Chardonnay later during this live auction, let's just say my hand went up one time too many. I became the proud owner of this beauty, and an added bonus it came with a beautiful gilt wood frame.
John James Audubon (Jean-Jacques Audubon) (April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851) He was notable for his expansive studies to document all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats. Wikipedia
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How is an authentic Audubon
print different than a copy?
my Audubon hanging in my dining room
Some of the original hand made works are still in books preserved in museums. I took my print to an appraiser and learned a bit about the process. Audubon illustrated these works for his books, then later made limited quantities of each, which were copper-plated engravings that were hand colored with water color paint.
some basic authentication tips:
look at the paper up close to assure it's not from a modern day printer by looking with a magnifying glass. Does the paper have small dots from modern printing. Remember, a hand colored watercolor will have some imperfections and bleeding.
My Audubon is from the R. Havell collection in London who hand-colored many between the years 1826-1838. The Audubon Havell Edition prints are aquatint copper-plate engravings. Each print has a plate mark and a watermark when held up to a light and a plate number on the right hand side (mine is XVII). On the left hand side is the series number, usually between 1 and 6, mine is 4.
quirky wood panel piece I found at a flea market with a bird painted on it, alongside my other bird prints in my dining room
My print's aesthetic compliments the other items in the small room well, including the Charolotte Moss wallpaper I picked up from Brunschwig & fils and my Swedish dining table with antique French rush-seat chairs, two vintage convex mirrors and chinoiserie sconces from Vaughn.
Since little, my kids have been fascinated with the glossy pages of marine life and bird encyclopedias filled with scientific terminology and gorgeous illustrations of nests, mating and habitats of sea creatures, birds and other wildlife.
Audubon's book, The Birds of America was written in the 1800s and is a wonder to behold. One part Naturalist, Ornithologist and other part artist, Audobon captivates with his hand-colored printed made from large engraved plates. Some of the birds he archived are now extinct.
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another one of my finds:
four small Audubon-like hand painted illustrations
set in antique mahogany frames
from Beall & Bell Antiques in Greenport, NY
four small Audubon-like hand painted illustrations
set in antique mahogany frames
from Beall & Bell Antiques in Greenport, NY
antique dealer, Lisa Whitney, exhibited this red finch print at the Mulford Farm Antique Show in East Hampton a couple of years ago.
Lisa Khan's bird sculptures from her new collection over at Chelsea House - seen at Highpoint Furniture Market - shows the increasing popularity of birds in design
unique paper cut out art of maps and bird designs I spotted at London's 100 percent design.
from the Winterthur museum historical collection
Hermes has gotten into the "bird" action
and I own this collection of pretty dessert plates
and I own this collection of pretty dessert plates
And, lastly using bird motifs can be fresh and modern when pairing inthe creative manner designer Katie Ridder did for clients in
a colorful Arkansas home from Southern Living magazine
bird motifs in design can be seen in almost every size,
shape and form.
Happy Nesting XOshape and form.
